Curran shines as Invincibles thump Brave
- BBC News
Oval Invincibles have the highest win percentage of any team in a major mens T20 league since the start of 2023
The Hundred mens competition, Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Southern Brave 133 (98): Cartwright 42 (30); Rashid 3-30, S Curran 3-21
Oval Invincibles 134-3 (89 balls): Cox 56 (37), S Curran 50 (32)
Oval Invincibles won by seven wickets
Two-time defending champions Oval Invincibles moved clear at the top of the mens Hundred table by emphatically beating Southern Brave by seven wickets.
After their batters piled up a record score on Saturday, the bowlers took the leading role in Southampton by dismissing their hosts for 133.
Australia left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff took two wickets with the new ball and when Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan took three wickets in his first five balls Brave were 44-6 after 40 balls.
Though Hilton Cartwright hit 42 to boost the score, Sam Curran took three wickets and completed a run-out to wrap up the innings in 98 balls.
Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye have been the competitions in-form opening partnership this year but both fell in the powerplay.
From 18-2, Jordan Cox and Curran combined for a stand of 101 in 64 balls, however, to steer Invincibles away from any danger.
Cox, who made a thrilled with 86 not out against Welsh Fire on Saturday, impressed again with 56 from 37 balls while Curran - left out of Englands white-ball squads on Friday - finished 50 not out to lead his side home with 11 balls to spare.
With four wins from five, Invincibles are now four points clear at the top of the table and, given their massive net run-rate advantage, effectively only need one win from their final three matches to finish in the top three.
We travel to Trent Bridge on Tuesday for a double-header between Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals.
The womens game starts at 15:00 BST, while the mens game begins at 18:30.
You will be able to watch both games lives on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, while you can also follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
